title: Rehabilitation of dysphagia following head and neck cancer.
abstract: Patients who have cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. Each treatment type may have a negative impact on posttreatment swallowing function; these effects are presented in this article. A number of rehabilitative procedures are available to the clinician to reduce or eliminate swallowing disorders in patients treated for cancer of the head and neck. The various procedures-including postures, maneuvers, modifications to bolus volume and viscosity, range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening exercises-and their efficacy in patients treated for head and neck cancer are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, Suite 3-331, Evanston, IL 60208-3540, USA. pauloski@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Barbara R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Pauloski
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003679:Deglutition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents